Samacheer Class 7 Social Science - Exploring Continents

Death valley
2.
………………….. is one of the world’s best fishing grounds.
Grand bank3. The highest peak in the Andes is ………………….. on the Chile – Argentina border.
Mount Aconcagua
4. ………………….. of the equatorial regions are called the “lungs of the world”.
The selvas
5. …………………. is also known as the “coffee pot” of the world.
Minas Gersals and Sao paulo

Isthmus
2. …………………..is a narrow stretch of water joining two large water bodies.
Strait
3. The Rockies and the Coast Range are together called the …………………..
Western Cordilleras4. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers are the longest rivers in …………………..
North America
5. ………………….. erodes a lot of sand and mud as it rushes down the Mountains.
The Big Muddy
6. Both Canada and the USA are the major exporter of ………………….. than the other countries of the world.
wheat
7. Barley and Oats is used as …………………..
cattle fodder
8. ………………….. is used for extraction of edible oil.
Soya beans9. The Isthmus of ………………….. in the North West connects South America with North America.
Panama
10. ………………….. is the greatest river of South America.
Amazon
11. The ………………….. found in the Amazon is a fierce flesh-eating fish.
Piranha
12. …………………..has the second-largest iron ore deposits in the world after Russia.
Brazil
13. …………………..is the third-largest producer of copper in the world.
Chile14. …………………..is the third-largest bauxite producing country.
Brazil
15. …………………..areas are Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay.
Moderate populated

The eastern coast of North America, particularly the USA, enjoys a mild climate due to several factors related to ocean currents and wind patterns. The southern and eastern regions are typically warm throughout the year. The regions around the mouth of the Mississippi-Missouri river system and the Gulf Coast experience summer rainfall brought by the North East Trade Winds, which blow onshore during the summer season. These trade winds carry moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, bringing precipitation to these coastal and riverine areas. The proximity to large water bodies and the influence of warm ocean currents help moderate temperatures along the eastern seaboard, preventing extreme cold in winter and excessive heat in summer. This combination of factors creates the relatively mild and temperate climate characteristic of the eastern coast of North America.

Though Quito and the Amazon basin are situated at almost the same latitude, they experience very different climates due to the influence of altitude and proximity to oceans. The climate of South America has been closely influenced by latitudes, altitudes, and the proximity of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The Amazon basin is hot because the equator passes through it, and it remains at low altitude with high humidity and consistent warm temperatures throughout the year. In contrast, Quito, situated on the Andes Mountains at almost the same latitude, enjoys eternal spring, which means it has a pleasant and mild climate throughout the year. This difference is primarily due to Quito's high altitude of approximately 9,350 feet or 2,849.88 meters above sea level. As altitude increases, temperature decreases, and this elevation effect overcomes the warming influence of the equatorial latitude, resulting in cooler and more temperate conditions in Quito compared to the hot and humid conditions of the Amazon basin below.

Peru is one of the world's largest producers of tropical fish due to the presence of the cool Humboldt Current, also known as the Peru Current, which flows along its Pacific coast. This cold ocean current brings nutrient-rich waters from the Antarctic region northward along Peru's coastal belt, which extends over 3,000 kilometers. The Humboldt Current is rich in plankton, which forms the primary food source for fish populations. The abundance of plankton supports vast schools of fish, making Peru's coastal waters exceptionally productive for commercial deep-sea fishing. The cold water upwelling caused by the Humboldt Current creates ideal conditions for fish breeding and growth, allowing Peru to maintain its position as one of the world's leading fish producers. This natural advantage has made commercial fishing a major economic activity along Peru's extensive coastal region.

Rocky mountain
The western part of North America is occupied by long ranges of young fold mountains known as Rocky mountains
The Width varies from 110 to 480 Kms.
The Rocky Mountains are west of the Mississippi River.Appalachian mountain
The eastern part of North America formed of old fold Appalachian which is not continuous like the Rockies.
There are few peaks more than 1800m high.
The Appalachian Mountain is east of the river.

The Prairies and Pampas are temperate grasslands found in North and South America respectively, each with distinct characteristics. The Prairies are the temperate grasslands of North America, located in the central regions of the USA and central Canada. The prairie climate features very cold winters and hot summers with moderate rainfall. The landscape consists of vast expanses of grasses with few trees, adapted to the continental climate. The Pampas are the temperate grasslands of South America, found in the northern and eastern parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and the southernmost regions of Brazil. The pampas experience quite warm summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall. Like the prairies, the pampas are characterized by extensive grasslands suitable for agriculture and livestock grazing. Both grassland regions are important for agriculture and pastoral activities, though they experience different seasonal patterns due to their positions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres respectively.

Tundra and Taiga are two distinct biomes found in the northern regions of North America. The Tundra is located along the northern coast of Canada and the northern islands. The climate of the tundra is characterized by long and severely cold winters and short, cool summers. Rainfall is scanty throughout the year. The flora of the tundra consists of mosses, lichens, and dwarf willows that are adapted to the harsh, frozen conditions. The Taiga, also known as boreal forest, consists of coniferous forests found in Alaska and Canada, particularly in south-central Alaska and northeastern Canada. The taiga climate features very cold winters and warm but short summers. Heavy snowfall occurs during winter months. The flora of the taiga includes coniferous trees such as pine, fir, cedar, and spruce, which are well-adapted to the cold climate and heavy snow. Both biomes represent extreme environments with specialized plant and animal life adapted to survive in harsh conditions.

North America is a continent with distinct geographical boundaries. To its west, it is bordered by the vast Pacific Ocean, which separates it from Asia. To the east, the continent faces the Atlantic Ocean, which lies between North America and Europe/Africa. In the northern reaches, North America extends into the Arctic Ocean, characterized by its icy waters and polar climate. To the south, North America shares a land border with South America, specifically at the Isthmus of Panama, which also connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. These boundaries define its unique geographical position and influence its climate, ecosystems, and human settlements.

The Eskimos, also known as Inuit people, live in the extremely cold and inhospitable regions of the Arctic, including northern Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Despite the harsh environment, they have adapted remarkably well to their surroundings where abundant fish varieties are available in the waters and ice. The Eskimos developed specialized clothing made from the fur and hide of animals, which provides thick, warm insulation necessary for survival in freezing temperatures. Their traditional houses, called igloos, are specially designed structures built from blocks of ice and snow, which provide excellent insulation against the extreme cold. The igloo's dome shape and construction help retain heat and protect inhabitants from harsh winds. The lifestyle of the Eskimos is notably simple and closely tied to their natural environment. They have traditionally relied on hunting, fishing, and trapping for sustenance. Due to the extreme climate and difficult terrain, the Eskimos had limited ability to significantly alter or modify their environment, and instead developed ingenious ways to live in harmony with it. Their culture, tools, clothing, and shelter all reflect centuries of adaptation to one of the world's most challenging climates.

Estancias are large pastoral estates or ranches found in South America, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay, where livestock is raised on extensive pasture lands. These large landholdings are organized into several paddocks or enclosed areas to manage different groups of animals. Within the estancias, there are smaller yards called corrals where animals are gathered, sorted, and branded for identification and management purposes. The owner of an estancia is called an estanciero, and they employ numerous workers known as gauchos who are skilled horsemen responsible for herding, managing, and caring for the livestock. The estancia system represents an important form of agricultural organization in South America's pastoral economy.

South America's major exports are predominantly primary commodities, reflecting its rich natural resources and agricultural productivity. These include agricultural products such as sugar, coffee, cocoa, and tobacco, which are significant cash crops. Livestock products like beef and grains such as corn and wheat are also important exports. In terms of minerals and energy resources, petroleum and natural gas are key exports from countries like Venezuela and Brazil. Other significant mineral exports include iron ore, tin, and copper, particularly from countries like Chile and Peru. Additionally, products like linseed and cotton contribute to its export basket. The primary destinations for these South American products are typically North America and Europe, which have high demand for these raw materials and agricultural goods, fostering strong trade relationships between these continents.

The Mississippi and Missouri rivers together form one of the most important river systems in North America and the fourth longest river system in the world. This combined river system stretches for more than 6,114 kilometers, flowing from Montana in the north all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. The Mississippi River is particularly significant for transportation, commerce, and agriculture throughout the central United States. In addition to the Mississippi-Missouri system, the Mackenzie River is the second-largest drainage basin in North America. The Mackenzie River flows northward and drains into the Arctic Ocean, serving as an important waterway in Canada's northern regions. These major river systems have been crucial to the development and settlement of North America.

The vast latitudinal extent from the Tropics to the Polar Regions makes the climate of North America as varied as that of Asia.
Unlike the Himalayas, the Rockies run north to south which do not form a climatic barrier and do not prevent the icy winds from the Arctic region and penetrating the central plains which therefore have a very long cold winter and very short hot summer.
Precipitation occurs due to cyclonic storms.
The Arctic region is cold and mostly dry and has very short summers and a very long bitterly cold winter.
As one proceeds southwards the short summers become warm but the winters are very cold.
The central plains have extreme climates from freezing conditions in winter to tropical heat in summer.
The South is usually warm all the year-round and the regions around the month of the Mississippi-Missouri and the Gulf Coast have summer rain from the North East Trades which blow on-shore in summer.
The warm moist South-Western lies not only bring rainfall to the North West coast and also keep it warm.
The warm Alaskan Current keeps the North West coast ice-free.
The State of California in the USA has a Mediterranean Climate with moist winter and dry summers.

Heavy engineering industries are manufacturing sectors that require heavy and bulky raw materials, consume enormous amounts of power, involve huge capital investment, and incur large transportation costs. These industries depend heavily on the iron and steel industry as their foundation, as steel is essential for producing their products. The major heavy engineering industries in North America include automobile industries, which are among the world's largest; aircraft industries producing commercial and military aircraft; shipbuilding industries constructing large vessels; railway wagon industries manufacturing freight and passenger cars; and farm equipment industries producing agricultural machinery. The United States is the world's largest producer of automobiles. The important centers of heavy engineering industries are concentrated in specific regions: Detroit and Chicago are major automobile manufacturing hubs, while Buffalo, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Saint-Louis, Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Atlanta are other significant industrial centers in the USA. Windsor in Canada is also an important center for heavy engineering industries, particularly automobile manufacturing.

Owing to the position of the Andes all the great rivers of the continent drain into the Atlantic.
The Pacific streams are short and swift but along the coastlands of Peru their waters are used for irrigation and to some extent for hydro-electric power.
Amazon is the longest river in South America (6,450km) and is the largest river system in the world.
This river has over at housand of tributaries.
The rivers Rio Negro, Madeira, and Tapajos are important tributaries.
At the point where it enters the sea, the river is so wide and powerful that it flows even at a distance of 80km into the high seas.
The Orinoco River originates in the Guiana Highlands and flows northwards into the Caribbean Sea.
The river Paraguay has the Parana and Uruguay rivers as the main tributaries which together form and known as the Platte River system.
All the rivers are navigable for quite some distance in the interior.

South America is home to the world's most ethnically and racially mixed population, resulting from centuries of migration, colonization, and cultural interaction. Many people in South America are descended from Europeans, particularly Spanish and Portuguese colonizers who began arriving in the 15th century during the age of exploration and colonization. Additionally, large populations of African slaves were forcibly brought to South America by European colonizers, and their descendants continue to live in various regions. The indigenous native peoples still inhabit the mountain regions and rainforests, maintaining their own distinct languages and cultural traditions. This mixing of populations has created several distinct groups: the Mestizo population represents the mixture of native Indians and Europeans and forms a significant portion of South America's population; the Mulato population consists of people of mixed European and African descent; and the Zambo population represents the mixture of native Indians and African peoples. This racial and ethnic diversity is a defining characteristic of South American society.

Pittsburgh is correctly associated with the Iron and steel industry. While it historically had textile and shipping connections, its fame primarily stems from its steel production. Chicago is correctly associated with Meat Packing and Heavy Engineering. It was a major hub for the meatpacking industry and also has significant heavy engineering. Ontario is correctly associated with Automobile and Paper industries. It is a major center for automobile manufacturing in Canada and also has a strong paper industry. Chile is correctly associated with Oil refinery, though it is more famously known for its Copper smelting industry. While oil refining exists, copper is its dominant industry. Uruguay is correctly associated with Leather processing and Dairy products. It has a significant leather industry and is also known for its dairy production, while copper smelting is not a primary industry there.

South America is also known as Latin America because it was discovered and colonized primarily by Latin European powers, particularly the Spanish and the Portuguese. These Latin nations established colonies throughout South America and Central America, imposing their languages, cultures, and traditions on the indigenous populations. The Spanish language, which is derived from Latin, became the dominant language across most of South America, while Portuguese became the primary language in Brazil. The term 'Latin America' therefore refers to the regions of Central and South America that were colonized by these Latin-speaking European powers and where Romance languages derived from Latin are predominantly spoken today.

North America lies between 7°N and 84°N latitude and is located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. The largest lake in North America is Lake Superior, which is one of the world's largest freshwater lakes. The highest peak in North America is Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, located in Alaska. South America lies between 12°N and 55°S latitude and between 35°W and 81°W longitude, extending from the Northern Hemisphere into the Southern Hemisphere. The largest lake in South America is Lake Maracaibo, located in Venezuela. The highest peak in South America is Mount Aconcagua, which is part of the Andes mountain range, the world's longest mountain chain. The Andes Mountains stretch along the western coast of South America and contain numerous peaks of great elevation.

Savanna grasslands are located in regions such as the Guiana Highlands and Brazilian Highlands of South America. These grasslands are characterized by tall, coarse grass and experience hot and moist summers with seasonal rainfall. The vegetation is adapted to periods of both moisture and dryness. The Pampas grasslands, in contrast, are located in Uruguay and the southernmost regions of Brazil and Argentina. These grasslands are characterized by short grass and experience warm summers. The Pampas are known for their flat terrain and fertile soil, making them suitable for agriculture and cattle ranching. Both grassland types are important ecosystems that support diverse wildlife and have been shaped by climate and soil conditions.